Horses quarantined because of herpes outbreak

Published On: Mar 02 2013 01:35:14 PM EST

MARION COUNTY, Fla. -

Another facility in Marion County has been quarantined after a horse tested positive for a highly contagious equine herpes virus. The Ocala Star Banner reports that state officials isolated Calder Farm in Ocala on Friday. The newspaper also says this is the seventh facility to be quarantined due to an outbreak of the virus. Known as EHV-1, the virus is spread through respiratory secretions and via contaminated feed buckets, food, grooming tools and other equine equipment. It's not transmittable to humans. State officials, horse owners and veterinarians took strict precautions earlier this week to contain the spread of the virus. Confirmed cases have been linked to a major horse show in north-central Florida. The virus can result in neurological disease, respiratory disease, abortion and neonatal death in horses.

Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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